BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Automotive vehicles equipped with shoulder belt retractors, particularly in the United
States, include "comfort feature" means for relieving uncomfortable retraction belt
tension on the occupant Typically, a shoulder belt retractor includes a coiled spring
actuated wind -up reel for the belt webbing which passes through a static loop mounted
on the vehicle door pillar above occupants shoulder from which the belt extends across
the chest of the occupant to a buckle latch at an inside anchor point. Upon reaching
a sitting position with engagement of the shoulder belt retracted under wind-up belt
tension, the comfort feature enables the occupant to manually extract the belt to
a loosened condition upon which a latch in the retractor mechanism locks the belt
against retraction. Such comfort feature is desirable to relieve the occupant from
uncomfortable shoulder belt retraction force which often deters an occupant from using
the shoulder belt with its safety advantages.
[0002] Extraction of the shoulder belt against the retractor spool wind-up spring is normally
permitted in an emergency locking retractor having an inertia responsive locking system
against extraction. Accordingly, extraction can be accommodated not only to initially
secure the belt buckle, as in a nonpassive manual system, but also permits the occupant
to move away from the seat back, as when the driver reaches into the glove compartment
or otherwise This has necessitated a sophisticated comfort feature locking mechanism
which will cause release of the comfort feature locking mechanism from an overextended
extraction subject to manual resetting upon return to normal sitting position.
[0003] Typical functional requirements established by a United States Automotive Vehicle
manufacturer are as follows:
COMFORT FEATURES FOR EMERGENCEY LOCKING RETRACTORS
Functional Requirements
[0004]
1. The comfort lock feature must function as follows:
a) Extend the webbing from the retractor to the working range of the belt (distance
indicated on each retractor assembly drawing.)
b) Let the belt retract a minimum of 6 inches (153 MM)
c) Extract the belt 1.2 inches (31 MM) maximum and release belt. The comfort lock
must engage to prevent retraction.
d) Extract belt 4 inches (102 MM) and release. The belt must return to within 1.0
inch (25 MM) of the comfort lock position previously set. Full retraction is a failure
of the system.
e) Extract belt 6 inches (153 MM) and release. The belt must fully retract without
locking.
[0005] Notwithstanding such requirements and manufacturing compliance therewith, possibilities
of malfunction have led to additional provisions. For example, if the buckle is disengaged
while the comfort feature continues to lock the retractor against belt retraction,
the loose belt may hang out of the vehicle when the door is opened for occupant exit
and left dangling when the door is shut -- even after reentry if the belt is not manually
actuated to retraction mode. In order to solve this problem, door opening responsive
mechanism has been added to release the comfort feature belt locking mechanism when
the door is opened; or in an alternative system when the belt is loose from disengagement
[0006] Notwithstanding the incorporation of effective mechanisms involved in meeting the
foregoing functional requirements, including door opening or buckle disengagement
release of the comfort feature locking mechanism, possibilities of malfunction have
continued to persist in "state-of-the-art" retraction systems in use at the present
time. For example, if the driver should reach for the glove compartment on the passenger
side, extracting the belt beyond the comfort feature range, (6 inches in the above
specification) the belt must fully retract without locking upon the driver's return
to the seat back position and, in most cases, the retraction system will so function
subject to resetting the comfort feature when the occupant is in driving position.
However, should the driver hesitate, after partial return from reaching the glove
compartment sufficiently to restore the comfort feature mode of operation, and then
reach back less than 6 inches, an inadvertent comfort feature relocking may occur
with the belt in an excessively loose condition which, if not observed and remedied
by the driver, may effectively disable the shoulder belt restraint system and result
in an unexpected driving hazard. This current problem is sufficiently serious that
consideration is being given to entirely eliminating the comfort feature in future
models, notwithstanding its desirability for occupant comfort and inducement to shoulder
belt use.
[0007] Another limitation of current comfort feature systems in use results from excessive
manual loosening beyond the extent necessary to relieve uncomfortable belt tension
against the occupant's body. Surveys have shown that a majority of comfort feature
users extract the belt beyond the necessary comfort position and thereby at least
partially reduce the effectiveness of the shoulder belt system as a safety provision.
[0008] Recent implementation of passive shoulder belt retraction systems, for example with
door mounted retractors which permit occupants to enter and exit without manual buckling
and unbuckling, render minimum extension of the shoulder belt for comfort even more
critical since additional belt webbing is involved in the passive restraint systems
subject to an extra degree of stretching upon emergency inertia locking.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0009] The method of the present invention imposes snubbing of the webbing at a position
intermediate the occupant and retraction force automatically in response to a relatively
light back tension imposed by mere shoulder belt contact engagement with the occupant.
Further retraction by the relatively heavy retraction force is thereby arrested without
preventing further retraction upon any release or loosening of the back tension imposed
by such shoulder belt engagement with the occupant. The back tension of such method
is sufficiently light to entirely eliminate discomfort to the occupant while being
responsive to slack upon release to cause completion of retraction from any position
of extension. Such method eliminates the need for functional requirements and associated
mechanism in the retractor of the present "state-of-the-art" comfort lock feature,
such as outlined above, and avoids the requirement for door opening or other release
mechanism for the comfort feature, as well as the potential for malfunctioning upon
overextension in reaching by the occupant such as described above. In addition, the
method assures belt retraction into actual contact engagement with the occupant under
all circumstances so as to eliminate any slack associated with the conventional comfort
feature contributing to lost motion in the effective application of a restraining
force of the shoulder belt in an emergency. Finally, the method provides the advantage
of completely automatic operation rendering unnecessary the manual extraction of the
shoulder belt to set the comfort feature
[0010] Preferred apparatus for implementing method of the present invention includes an
attachment to a conventional static loop mounted on an automotive body pillar above
the occupant's shoulder which is responsive to transition in shoulder belt webbing
in use by an occupant between a slack condition, incident to disconnecting the belt
or to an occupant returning from belt extending position to a normal seated attitude,
and a condition where all slack is taken up with webbing in contact with occupant's
chest under very light unobjectionable tension. In the preferred embodiment illustrated
in the drawings, a pivoted lever having a fulcrum closely adjacent to the belt webbing
at the top of its passage through the static loop is provided with a minimal extension
for self-energized snubbing of the webbing against the static loop bar whenever the
main body of the lever of substantial length is engaged by webbing projecting beyond
the static loop under light tension upon elimination of slack during occupant's use.
The fulcrum is yieldably mounted on the static loop body for displacement to a nonsnubbing
position upon extraction of the belt while worn by the occupant. The lever is configured
to hang loosely without snubbing contact in response to slack in the belt during retraction,
or during extraction in a vertical direction with the fulcrum in its normal effective
position.
[0011] The lever is preferably provided with a supplemental lightly preloaded lever yieldable
under minor adjustments in the occupant's chest position to provide a slight "lost
motion" in the light contact pressure operation of the belt before any extraction
movement of the occupant encounters the relatively heavier resistance of the main
retraction spring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012]
Fig. 1 is a perspective face view of a conventional static loop mounted on a passenger
car pillar to which the attachment of the present invention has been applied;
Fig. 2 is an oblique view of the static loop shown in Fig. 1 with belt webbing in
slack condition;
Fig. 3A is a partially sectioned side view of the Fig. 1 static loop illustrating
the snubbing relation of the attachment;
Fig. 3B is a view similar to Fig. 3A illustrating a slack nonsnubbing condition of
the attachment;
Fig. 3C is a view similar to Fig. 3A illustrating a nonsnubbing condition of the attachment
during belt extraction while the webbing engages the snubbing lever;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the lever and fulcrum subassembly per se shown in the
complete assembly of Figs 1-3;
Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C are views similar to Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrating a preferred
modification;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a further preferred embodiment;
Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of the static loop shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 8A is a
sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6 illustrating the belt webbing in
slack condition;
Fig. 8B is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6 illustrating the snubbing
relation of the attachment;
Fig. 8C is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6 illustrating a nonsnubbing
condition of the attachment during belt extraction while the webbing engages the snubbing
lever;
Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8A;
Fig. 10 is a detail view of the snubbing elements per se shown assembled in Fig 9;
Fig. 11 is a front elevation of the snubbing elements per se illustrated in Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the fulcrum element per se illustrated in assembled
relation in Figs. 6, 8A, 8B, and 8C;
Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the snubbing element illustrated in Fig. 12; and
Fig. 14 is a front elevation of the actuating lever per se illustrated in assembled
relation in Figs. 6, 8A, 8B, and 8C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED METHOD
[0013] Typical spring retractors may include extended retraction forces in excess of 3 lbs.
A substantial variation in spring retraction force occurs upon progressive retraction.
Ideally, the comfort feature of the present preferred method would automatically arrest
retraction whenever and only when all slack is taken up with the belt engaging the
occupant with insensible tension and without preventing further retraction upon any
development of slack from occupant movement or disengagement of the shoulder belt.
Elimination of minimum impedence is also desirable whenever slack arises so as not
to delay any retraction required to take up the slack or return the belt to fully
retracted condition.
[0014] A preferred approach, responsive to the transition between slack and occupant engaging
condition of belt webbing, is actuated to provide snubbing with high mechanical advantage
actuated by relatively light back tension whenever slack is eliminated in such transition
while the belt webbing is projecting from the static loop toward occupant engagement
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0015] With reference to the drawings, conventional static loop hanger 10 swivelly attached
by bolt 11 to auto body pillar 12, is equipped with a shoulder belt having vertical
webbing 13 extending to a conventional spring actuated retractor, having an inertial
system for locking the belt against extraction under emergency deceleration conditions
arising from accident or otherwise, and having an operative webbing extension 14 for
passing over the shoulder and chest of the occupant to an attachment buckle normally
including a further lap engaging extension of the belt to an attachment point of the
retractor. Retraction and extension of the belt for occupants use takes place in the
vertical webbing 13 which is wound on a coiled spring actuated reel in the retractor.
[0016] In the application of the comfort feature attachment of the present invention, webbing
13 is normally under constant retraction tension, which may be in the order of 3 pounds
or more to assure rapid retraction of the belt including the weight of the connector
upon occupant's release, thereby avoiding any possibility of belt webbing hanging
out of the door upon departure of the occupant.
[0017] The attachment of the present invention comprises snubbing lever 15 and fulcrum 16
attached by a pair of rivets 17 to a vertical position 18 of static loop 10 with springs
19 urging fulcrum 16 against spacing washer 20 and reaction stop 21 immediately above
slot 22 for passage of belt webbing in static loop. As an alternative, illustrated
in Figs. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the fulcrum 16a may be constructed with an extension for
attachment by bolt 11a, instead of rivets 17, and made as a sheet metal element resiliently
spring loaded, as by spring 19a, to its effective fulcrum position as shown in Fig.
5A. Such alternative will particularly facilitate attachment to a standard static
loop without any modification or removal of the belt in order to accommodate "aftermarket"
applications to cars which have no "comfort feature'.
[0018] A pivotal connection between fulcrum 16 and snubbing lever 15, best illustrated in
Fig. 4, includes fulcrum surface 23 immediately adjacent snubbing end 24 of lever
15 having a minimal extension beyond fulcrum surface 23 in order to maximize mechanical
advantage of snubbing lever 15 from light contact pressure at lever end 24 from belt
webbing 14 when worn by occupant with slack eliminated by contact with the occupant's
chest. Since only a few thousandths of an inch displacement of snubbing end 24 is
involved between complete freedom of contact and full snubbing of the belt webbing,
adequate high mechanical advantage for actuation by completely comfortable back tension
in webbing 14 can be accomplished with a relatively short lever arm 15, as well as
complete freedom from snubbing contact with the webbing under slack belt conditions
such as illustrated in Fig. 3B
[0019] Manual extraction of belt webbing 14b in a vertical direction as shown in Fig. 3B
can likewise be accomplished without any displacement of fulcrum 16 or frictional
resistance by end 24 of the snubbing lever.
[0020] With reference to Fig. 3C, extraction of the belt when in contact with lever 15,
either by occupant movement or nonvertical manual extraction, is accommodated by yielding
of fulcrum 16 against bias of spring 19 to move snubbing end 24 laterally out of compression
contact with the adjacent webbing providing clearance displacement so that only frictional
surface contact with snubbing lever 15 will be added to the normal resistance of retraction
spring and static loop to the extraction of belt webbing, such as involved when the
occupant moves to the glove compartment or other belt extending position or manually
extracts belt webbing in a nonvertical direction.
[0021] A supplemental comfort feature may be, and preferably is, included by employing springs
19 or 19a with sufficient preload to resist fulcrum displacement to nonsnubbing clearance
until extraction tension approaches retraction tension in webbing 13, and by employing
lever means which will yield from an initial lightly preloaded effective snubbing
position to accommodate minor occupant shifts in position without displacing the fulcrum
from its effective snubbing position; for example, a supplemental lightly preloaded
sheet metal lever 33, as illustrated in Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C, with resilient means
adapted to yield to permit "lost motion" in the light contact pressure snubbing operation
of the belt. Such lost motion is illustrated in Fig. 5A by the relative solid line
of lever 33, spaced from snubbing lever 15a, and phantom line 33a with lost motion
taken up but with no displacement of snubbing lever 15a from its effective snubbing
position. By this means, comfortable contact may be extended to cover minor occupant
adjustments in sitting position without losing the safety of effective restraint upon
sudden deceleration.
[0022] With reference to Fig. 4, in order to provide a pivotal connection between snubbing
lever 15 and fulcrum 16 (15a and 16a in the case of Figs. 5A-5C) closely adjacent
the minimal snubbing extension 24, a loose but permanent connection is provided by
lateral clearance slots 25 on either side of lever 15 having bevelled inner extremities
26 loosely engageable by matching bevelled ends 27 of slot engaging projections 26
loosely engageable by matching bevelled ends 27 of slot engaging projections 28 below
fulcrum surface 23 which are crimped into permanent assembled relation by compression
of fulcrum edges 29 accommodated by slots 30. Adequate clearance for free pivotal
movement of snubbing lever 15 relative to fulcrum 16 assures desired snubbing and
free snubbing release operation with spring 19 provided to position fulcrum 16 in
normal snubbing attitude as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B. Such position is firmly maintained
by retraction tension webbing 13 during normal snubbing action
[0023] As best shown in Fig. 1, snubbing lever 15 preferably extends the full width of belt
webbing in order to minimize wear from snubbing engagement and to match the conventional
curvature in the static loop element 31 engaged by belt webbing so as to provide full
snubbing contact across the width of the belt when extended in normal occupant engaging
attitude.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] With reference to Figs. 6-14, a preferred embodiment includes elements and functions
similar to the modification of Figs. 5A, 5B, and 5C adapted to a similar static loop
40 in a manner permitting attachment, if desired, without removing pillar bolt 41
premounted in a conventional manner. Fulcrum 42 is formed as a sheet metal stamping
with angled surfaces 43 and 44 accurately matching molded planar surfaces 45 and 46
respectively of plastic body 47. Fulcrum 42 is retained in operative position, as
shown in Figs. 8A and 8B by a pair of closely wound preload springs 48 passing through
upper end extremities of the loop webbing passage connected at upper center 49 and
either side edge 50 of fulcrum 42 with preload tension. The operative position of
the fulcrum is retained unless and until extraction tension on the occupant side of
the webbing 49 approaches retractor tension on the webbing 50 which is calibrated
to overcome the preload of springs 48 with slight displacement of fulcrum 42, as illustrated
in Fig. 8C, and eliminate compressive snubbing of webbing 49 against adjacent surface
51 of static loop body 52.
[0025] Snubbing assembly 53 comprises lever 54 hinged at 55 to a pair of snubbing elements
56 with torque spring 57 mounted on the hinge pin having loop 58 engaging lever 54
and ends 59 engaging snubbing elements 56 preloading them to a right angle hinge limit
position as shown in Fig. 8A, but yieldable to a hinge opening position as shown at
phantom position 60 and extraction position 61 in Figs. 8B and 8C. The preload of
torque spring 57 is calibrated to resist any hinge opening until effective snubbing
takes place, as illustrated at 62 in Fig. 8B, preventing any further retraction by
retractor tension in belt webbing 50 while leveraged light occupant engaging tension
prevails in belt webbing 63. Multiple coils in torque spring 57 provide a low spring
rate so that negligible added belt tension is felt by the occupant in actuating lever
54 from initial snubbing position 62 to hinge opening positions, such as shown at
60 and 61, so as to accommodate minor adjustments in an occupant's seating position.
[0026] When belt extraction is required, as illustrated in Fig. 8C, eg., in reaching for
the glove compartment or otherwise, full retractor tension in webbing 50 is overcome
with relief of webbing compression at surface 51 minimizing frictional resistance
incident to webbing contact with snubbing elements 56. Upon return of the occupant
to normal seated position, the extra webbing extracted will assume a slack condition
without effective tension on lever 54 permitting automatic retraction until slack
is taken up and light body tension is reimposed, as on webbing 63, to again effect
snubbing under light body contact of the webbing.
[0027] It will be noted that manual extraction of the belt in a vertical direction, as illustrated
in Fig. 8A, may be accomplished without any frictional impedance by the snubbing elements,
for example in preparing for initial buckle connection, after which slack will automatically
be taken up as described above.
[0028] As best illustrated in Figs. 9-11, dual snubbing elements 56 are provided in order
to accommodate assembly interengagement of slots 64 with fulcrum slots 65 prior to
insertion of hinge pin 66. Respective slots 64 and 65 are dimensioned to accomodate
required pivotal actuation by lever 54, as between respective positions illustrated
in Figs. 8A and 8B. Such pivotal movement of snubbing elements 56 is limited, however,
by interslot engagement to prevent complete closing of the hinged elements 54 and
56 to their 90° relationship under belt extraction such as illustrated in Fig. 8C.
This provides positive assurance that snubbing elements 56 will return to effective
snubbing attitude, as illustrated in Fig. 8B, upon any belt extraction followed by
return of the occupant to normal seated position.
[0029] While the respective comfort feature elements - fulcrum 42, lever 54 and snubbing
elements 56 -- are constructed as relatively simple stampings, tolerance factors are
important in order to assure optimum performance consistently, with minimum occupant
contacting belt tension, minimum displacement of lever 54 to effective snubbing position,
accomdation for minor adjustment in body position without webbing extraction, minimum
resistance to required webbing extraction and minimum interference with belt retraction
when the buckle is disconnected. While only a few thousandths of an inch in the displacement
of the snubbing edge of elements 56 is involved between effective snubbing and free
passage of the webbing, additional clearance for transition between the conditions
of Figs. 8A and 8B is required to accommodate tolerances for the several related elements
within production accuracy of precision stampings and the molded portions of the static
loop. In this connection, the ratio of length of lever 54 to the projection of snubbing
elements 56 beyond slots 64 provides the mechanical advantage for minimizing occupant
contacting belt tension. A balancing of such ratio with the required displacement
of the snubbing elements to accommodate practical tolerance stack up may be readily
achieved through careful precise dimensioning of the respective parts.
[0030] From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the embodiments disclosed
achieve substantially all of the objectives of the method in eliminating any interference
with shoulder belt retraction, minimizing belt tension in contact with the occupant,
accommodating extraction for initial buckle attachment and occupant movement to a
belt extending position, automatic snubbing with belt webbing in occupant contact
without slack, and automatic release of snubbing in response to any slack condition.
[0031] It will also be understood that through the simple expedient of adding the disclosed
lever/fulcrum attachment to a conventional static loop, the provisions of "comfort
feature" mechanism in the retractor, together with door opening responsive release
mechanism, are dispensed with while solving all problems incident to excessive slack
arising from either too loose manual setting or unintended latching in an excessive
extended condition.
1. Static loop for passing shoulder belt webbing extended under substantial tension
from a vehicle car retractor, across the shoulder and chest of an occupant, equipped
with comfort feature attachment means comprising frictional resistance snubbing means
upon the belt at the static loop to arrest retraction for relieving occupant felt
shoulder belt tension in response to take up of slack in the belt and engagement of
the shoulder belt in light body contact.
2. Static loop of claim 1 wherein said snubbing means provides high mechanical advantage
frictional snubbing by relatively light back tension in belt webbing upon slack take
up.
3. Static loop of claim 2 wherein said snubbing means provides for passing said belt
webbing into frictional engagement with an element of said static loop.
4. Static loop of claim 3 wherein said snubbing means includes a pivoted lever having
a snubbing end at said element, and a lever arm of substantial length in contact with
the belt when in use, said snubbing means also including a fulcrum provided adjacent
the snubbing end at said element.
5. Static loop of claim 4 wherein said fulcrum is positioned to provide free webbing
clearance between said element and snubbing end in response to vertical slack belt
condition.
6. Static loop of claim 5 wherein said static loop includes resilient mounting means
for said fulcrum to provide clearance displacement for said snubbing end relative
to said element upon extraction of said belt webbing.
7. Static loop of claim 6 wherein said fulcrum is pivotally attached to said lever
immediately adjacent said snubbing end by fulcrum projections engaging lever slots.
8. Static loop of claim 6 wherein said resilient mounting means is preloaded to resist
said clearance displacement until extraction effort approaches said substantial tension,
and wherein said lever arm has preloaded resilient means which will yield from an
initial effective snubbing position under limited occupant adjustment of sitting position
without displacing said fulcrum from its effective snubbing position.
9. Method for easing shoulder belt tension in a restraint system subject to substantial
shoulder belt retraction force characterized by effecting frictional resistance upon
the belt to arrest retraction in response to take up of slack in the belt and engagement
of the shoulder belt in light body contact, said method including provision of high
mechanical advantage in translating light tension into high frictional resistance.
10. Method of claim 9 and relieving said frictional resistance in response to shoulder
belt extraction overcoming said retraction force.
11. Method of claim 10 and continuing to relieve said frictional resistance in response
to renewal of slack condition following said extraction.
12. Method of claim 9 and providing for limited freedom to adjust body position while
the shoulder belt remains in light body contact.
13. Method of claim 9 wherein apparatus for effecting said frictional resistance is
in the vicinity of a static loop of said restraint system attached to a vehicle body
structural pillar.
14. Method of claim 13 and effecting said frictional resistance by snubbing belt webbing
against said static loop with a lever including a relatively short snubbing end, and
a lever arm of substantial length.
15. Method of claim 14 and providing said lever with a yieldable lever arm for limited
freedom to adjust body position while the shoulder belt remains in light body contact.
16. Method of claim 14 and eliminating said frictional resistance for vertical belt
retraction with said shoulder belt disconnected.
17. Method of claim 10 and substantially limiting said frictional resistance to a
retraction direction of said shoulder belt so as not to materially impede shoulder
belt extraction.
18. Method of claim 17 and providing said comfort feature automatically without manual
setting in response to initial occupant engagement contact of such shoulder belt.
19. Method of claim 18 and providing said frictional resistance self-energized by
elimination of slack through belt retraction into light body contact with belt wearing
occupant and self-limited in response to a slack condition in the occupant engaging
belt.
20. Static loop of claim 1 having static loop hanger (10) including a static loop
element (31) engaged by the belt, said snubbing means comprising a snubbing lever
(15, 15a) including a snubbing end (24) for compressing the belt webbing against said
element, a fulcrum (16, 16a) for said snubbing lever displaceably mounted on said
hanger, and a spring (19, 19a) to preload the fulcrum (16, 16a) in its operative position
for effective snubbing.
21. Static loop of claim 20 wherein said spring is yieldable to belt extraction tension
for displacement of said fulcrum to a nonsnubbing position
22. Static loop of claim 7 wherein said snubbing means is provided with dual slotted
snubbing elements interengaging slotted fulcrum projections, said snubbing elements
having hinge projections assembled to hinge projections on said lever arm by hinge
pin means.
23. Static loop of claim 20 wherein respective snubbing and lever arm elements are
assembled with an approximate right angle limit of relative movement in one angular
direction, with resilient torque spring means provided to preload said elements in
said limit position, said preload being sufficient to assure effective snubbing without
relative displacement of said hinge elements.
24. Static loop of claim 7 wherein said fulcrum comprises a stamping having planar
angular related surfaces engaging matching static loop planar angular related surfaces,
and preloaded spring means for displaceably retaining said surfaces in operative engagement,
yieldable to relieve snubbing when extraction tension on belt snubbing approaches
retractor tension.